In contrast to Dr. Patterson, who has endorsed the putative candidate for SBC president, Morris Chapman, a former president, takes the opposite approach. On his blog, Chapman speaks of returning to the policy that called for picking the president as a matter of prayer rather than politics.

Here is the money quote in my opinion:

Today political strategies, agendas, and power politics threaten to distract us from empowered possibilities of a people who rely solely upon God's guidance. We are drawn to do things as the world does them. To lose power from above all too often drives us to generate artificial power of our own making. We can intellectualize the Word of God 'til the cows come home and Christ reigns supreme upon the earth, but the more we attempt to do in our own power, the less we shall know the power of God. Our strength pales in comparison to the Christ who arose from the grave and ascended to the right hand of the Father.

The use of power politics has jaded the laity of the SBC. Most do not feel they have any input into the policies of the convention and that their leaders do not really care about them. They see the politics. If the Band of Brothers that controls the presidency does not give them credit for being smart enough to see the politics, they are delusional. When you throw in the recent events of trying to silence a member of a board for dissent and the abuse of funds, Baptists find their leadership the equivalent of much of the national political leadership: corrupt, selfish, myopic.

There is still time to avoid a cataclysm in the convention, but not much time. Younger pastors are revolting and the laity has lost respect for most of the current leadership. It is time to repent of wordliness and devote time to spiritual, scriptural leadership.

You won't do this, of course. But at least I can say I told you so.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT

Ronnie Floyd has turned down an interview with blogger Tad no relation Thompson and will not answer questions.

RONNIE FLOYD IS NOT THAT COOPERATIVE

First Baptist Springdale took in about $12 million in 2005. (Who knew there was that much money in Arkansas?)

First Baptist Springdale gave $32,000 to the Cooperative Program (.27%).

You can see why they want to nominate him.

SPEAKING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF HIS MOUTH - AGAIN

Paige Patterson has endorsed Ronnie Floyd for president of the SBC, despite calling this method of baptism blasphemy. PP is know for speaking out of both sides of his mouth, making contradictory statements, so that should come as no surprise. It is interesting, though, that he would endorse a man whose church gives less than 1% of its receipts to the cooperative program, since the seminary which PP leads is dependent on CP gifts.

It is also interesting how politics has taken over for prayer. At one time, the president was nominated at the convention, people prayed and voted. Now, the political machine gears up in advance, picks a candidate, and lines up other convention big dogs to endorse him. It is just like secular politics.

So, PP will endorse an inerrantist, even if he is a blasphemous non-supporter of the cooperative program.

My daddy used to say "politics makes strange bed fellows". And Paige and Ronnie are a good example that Daddy was right.

HOWARD DEAN: HOMOPHOBE OR JUST PLAIN CRAZY?

Howard Dean appeared on the 700 Club and was interviewed by Pat Robertson. That in itself is pretty crazy. Could two people be further apart on the political spectrum? The one thing they have in common is that they both foam at the mouth regularly, and usually in the main stream media.

The more interesting thing is Dean said the Democratic platform of 2004 defined marriage as between a man and a woman. First of all, that is not really what it says. It specifically advocates protecting the rights of gay and lesbian families. That can hardly be sung to the tune of "When a Man Loves A Woman".

Maybe the more interesting question is, why did he say it? Dean is certainly known to flip flop, but he certainly has been the poster boy for the left wing of the Democratic party, which caters to the homosexual movement. For him to offend them means he has changed his agenda in recognition that the party needs to move to the center to win an election. Or, it means he is crazy. I think he is crazy, but maybe that is just me. I think he will say anything at any given time, with no regard to fact or truth, and only his mind contains the rationale. In short, he is a few french fries short of a happy meal.

Maybe we should elect him. Could you imagine him having a conversation wit the president of Iran? The are both crazy. Would they communicate like inmates in an asylum, or try to kill each other. One thing is certain, you would need a lot of towels to dry up the foam.

America is an interesting place. Too interesting sometimes. And Howard "Mad Dog" Dean is one of the reasons why.

Unfortunately.

PATTERSON SPEAKS OUT

Tom Ascol, over at the Founders Blog, has unearthed an interview of Paige Patterson by Mark Dever. In it, Dever asked Patterson about a church that baptizes children in a baptistry made to look like a fire truck and shoots fireworks when a kid is baptized. Dever could not remember the name of the church. Patterson responded that it was, I kid you not, "blasphemous".

Ascol has researched and found out that the church is none other than that pastored by the putative nominee for SBC president!

Whoa.

LAWYER JOKE

The lawyer is led into a room, and the Devil says "There are different things we do here. Tell me about your life." After the lawyer talks about his life the Devil says "I'll need some money to get the ball rolling." The lawyer gives him some money. The Devil says "Okay, you can go outside for awhile. I'll let you know when they make a decision on what to do with you."

The lawyer waits several weeks. He calls, but the Devil is not in, so he leaves a message. No one responds, so a few weeks later he calls again. The Devil's secretary says the lawyer needs to send more money, so he does.

Several weeks later the lawyer calls again. The Devil is in conference, so the lawyer leaves a message. Several weeks later he calls again. The Devil is on a long distance call. The secretary says to send more money, so he does.

Several weeks later ...